Two minutes with CRAICCHS Youth Hub Workers Whitney Cobbo and Jonathan Walsh
Meet Whitney Cobbo and Jonathan Walsh, Youth Hub workers at Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and...
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Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan opens doors to new clinic
Health services and accommodation provider Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan is celebrating the official opening of a new clinic location for its medical service in Earlville, Cairns, referred to as Mookai Family Health. Mookai Family Health will provide a new, fit-for-purpose home for Mookai Rosie’s medical service, which commenced operations 18 months ago. The service is available to all Torres Strait and Cape York clients including women and children, and now men.
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Health leader returns to Country:
After a 30-year career in government and research in New South Wales, Carmen Parter is finally returning to her roots as the new Chief Executive Officer of Girudala Community Cooperative Society in Bowen.
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New program in Townsville and Palm Island ensures timely care for Indigenous families
A new program in the Townsville region, including Palm Island, is ensuring Indigenous families get quicker access to care during the crucial first 1,000 days for women and children.
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Strength in Connection Members Workshops
More than 50 Members from across Queensland enjoyed comprehensive training in accreditation and human resources at QAIHC’s Strength in Connection Members Workshops at Stamford Plaza in late February.
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QAIHC to trial clinical genetics healthcare model in ACCHO communities
QAIHC and Central Queensland University will lead a first-of-its-kind healthcare pilot aimed at improving access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to clinical genetics services. Led by QAIHC Principal Research Advisor, Greg Pratt, a proud Quandamooka man, the three-year project will implement an integrated healthcare model and referral pathway for better access to genetic health services for patients of Aboriginal community controlled health organisations (ACCHOs).
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A fresh cut for a fresh outlook
Goondir Health Services has partnered with Origin Energy to deliver an innovative project that combines traditional barber experiences with counselling services. The Wunna Yarn, Wunna Cut Barber Shop program was officially launched at Tara Hospital on 28 February, accompanied by stalls, lunch, coffee and Rugby League legend Steve Renouf.
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Dr CJ’s winding road to Yarrie
Growing up in a two-and-a-half bedroom house with six siblings and no electricity, water or a fridge isn’t the easiest start in life, nor is it the easiest route to medicine. The one thing it did provide Gurriny-Yealamucka Health Service GP Registrar Dr Carli “CJ” Westmore is an understanding of some of the challenges, especially the social determinants of health, experienced by people living in Yarrabah.
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Members explore aged care opportunities at QAIHC Aged Care Workshop
QAIHC Members have deepened their understanding of the aged care space and how it could enhance their health care offerings at the first QAIHC Aged Care Workshop at Rydges South Bank on 20 February. Triggered by a commitment set down at the QAIHC State Members’ Conference in December, the workshop was held to explore the history, challenges and opportunities for ACCHOs looking to explore new opportunities in the aged care space.
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Clinical Leaders Forum spotlights major health issues
Lead clinicians from across Queensland discussed a range of issues impacting the ACCHO sector at QAIHC’s Clinical Leaders Forum (CLF) face-to-face meeting in December.
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Kicking goals at the Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge
Deadly footy was the name of the game at the Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge, held on Saturday 24 February at the Logan Metro Sports Complex at Crestmead.
While the weekend was disappointing for most of Queensland’s sides, including the Open Men (Michael Purcell Memorial) losing to Walgett (4-46), Queensland’s Open Women (Mungindi Panthers) representatives were victorious in a nailbiter against the Newcastle Yowies (20-18).
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Noeleen’s new direction for NATSIHA
From health worker to chief executive officer, Noeleen Selke’s career is interwoven with one common thread — the holistic wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
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$5m grant to help screen children at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders
A Griffith University research project to help screen children and adolescents at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders has been successful in gaining a $5 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Led by Professor Dianne Shanley from Griffith University’s School of Applied Psychology, the project builds upon the recent $1.5 million NHMRC grant awarded last year for the Tracking Cube, which her team co-designed.
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Indigenous-led model sees a reduction in Indigenous infants being removed by child services
Women who receive support through an Indigenous-led model of maternity care are three times less likely to have Indigenous newborn children removed by child protection services, new research has shown. It comes in the wake of a scathing Productivity Commission report which threw a spotlight on the failure by successive governments to reduce the issues of out-of-home care for Indigenous children.
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“Our system punishes vulnerability” – Queensland Commissioner urges alternatives to incarceration
The increasing numbers of Indigenous children in prison is alarming and demands urgent action, according to Queensland’s Family and Child Commission (QFCC) commissioner Natalie Lewis.
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Scholarship winner urges budding Indigenous doctors to take remote posts
Applications are closing soon for a prestigious Indigenous medical scholarship that helped previous recipients an avenue to become prominent leaders in health and medicine.
The Australian Medical Association’s Indigenous Medical Scholarship was created in 1994 to help produce more First Nations doctors, who play critical roles in the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, especially those living in remote communities.
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Research project focusing on improving genetics services for Indigenous patients receives additional support
Central Queensland University will receive almost $2 million through the federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund to support research into genetic services for Indigenous patients. The grant will support the university’s Jawun Research Centre on their Integrated Genetic HealthCare: Improving Access to Quality Genetic Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Patients project.
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Gangalu man’s incredible journey rediscovering a lost language
Gangalu man Thomas Watson, hailing from Katherine in the Northern Territory, wanted to establish a connection with his ancestral Gangulu country and language – a link denied to his grandmother during her childhood. In 2019, he embarked on his language journey during a family reunion in Gangulu country, central Queensland. To his surprise, he discovered that the Gungulu was no longer spoken by the community.
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When physical activity programs include cultural elements, they are even better for First Nations people
For First Nations people, social and emotional wellbeing can depend on connection to land, culture, spirituality and community. Disruption to these values can be harmful. The most recent data show 24% of First Nations adults have been diagnosed with mental health or behavioural conditions. This is likely due to lasting and intergenerational effects of historical injustices, racial discrimination and cultural displacement.
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Hard work pays off for student of the year
Aboriginal Health Worker Shaniqua Burke has discovered that hard work can get you places you never thought possible. The 21-year-old from Napranum in Queensland’s northern peninsula area credited hard work for helping her win Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards this year. Now, with a Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care from TAFE Queensland under her belt, the opportunities are limitless.
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Empowering our communities: Rachel Atkinson’s remarkable journey in health
Indigenous health leader Rachel Atkinson has devoted her life to championing the health and...
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Personalised medicine for Indigenous Australians a step closer after “remarkable” DNA discovery
Personalised treatments to address health inequalities experiences by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are a step closer after the most comprehensive analysis of Indigenous Australians’ genomes collected to date revealed an “abundance” of DNA variations within four northern Australian Aboriginal communities.
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Three Members celebrate milestone anniversaries
Three Member services celebrated landmark anniversaries looking after their mob this year – ATSICHS Brisbane marked its 50 year anniversary, Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation in the Atherton Tablelands commemorated its 30 years anniversary and the Northern Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Alliance (NATSIHA) celebrated 20 years.
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Gindaja showcases model of care at world conference
Yarrabah Member service, Gindaja Treatment and Healing Centre, has taken to the global stage to...
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QAIHC Staff Profile: Introducing Jan Roma, QAIHC Administration Officer
We’re shining a spotlight on QAIHC’s deadly Administration Officer and longest continually serving staff member, Jan Roma.
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My health For life continues to be improved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Diabetes Australia has continued to work with QAIHC and Members to help design and roll out a preventative health and wellbeing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland. QAIHC is consulting on the development of a refreshed, fit-for-purpose version of the established health program, My health for life (MH4L), that is culturally appropriate and meets the needs of participating QAIHC Members and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
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QUT’s new Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge and Culture an Australia first
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is launching a trailblazing new Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge and Culture next year. The faculty will expand QUT’s education and research offerings in Indigenous Knowledges and Culture and provide greater opportunity for students across Australia to attend QUT to study within the faculty alongside all other specialty programs.
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Post Voice, QAIHC to launch mental health and wellbeing support program
QAIHC has secured $200,000 in funding from Queensland Health and $100,000 from NACCHO to launch a...
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Don’t miss out on First Nations Director Scholarship Program
Are you an Indigenous leader in Queensland who is ready to take the next step in their...
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Transactions Between Related Parties
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is focusing on the exchange of goods, services, or obligations between related parties. Groups registered with the ACNC must have started reporting these transactions from the beginning of 2023. For many groups, this started on 1 July 2022.
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QAIHC’s Youth Hub project boosts youth engagement
The QAIHC Youth Hub project is making significant progress in increasing youth engagement with the ACCHO sector. In 2023-2024, Youth Hub coordinators Jaymie Lynch and Taeg Twist have been working with Members to support the development of 10 inclusive and integrated Youth Hubs in Queensland.
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ACCHO career paths highlighted at #GoHealth Careers Expo
QAIHC showcased the broad range of career opportunities in the ACCHO sector to senior high school students at the #GoHealth Careers Expo at Brisbane’s RNA Showground in June.
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Cape’s healthcare collaboration wins state reconciliation award
THE Cape York Kidney Care (CYKC) program has won the Health and Wellbeing category of the Queensland Reconciliation Awards.
To address the high rates of kidney disease and kidney failure needing dialysis in First Nations communities, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) partnered with Apunipima Cape York Health Council in 2019 to reach six communities: Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon, Aurukun, Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama.
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Carn the Currawongs (2024) at Bille Brown Theatre
The Cuttaway Currawongs are the laughing stock of their small coastal town. They’ve spent so long...
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The Circle (2024) by Katherena Vermette
From the award-winning and #1 bestselling author of The Break and The Strangers comes the final instalment in this heart-rending, utterly immersive Indigenous family saga.
Read MoreABOUT
Sector Leader Magazine is published by the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC).
We welcome submissions from our Members, Associates and Affiliates on the great work being undertaken within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisation Sector.
If you would like to contribute story ideas for consideration or comment on items in the current issue, please contact our Communications Team at communications@qaihc.com.au. Previous issues can be viewed online at qaihc.com.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this publication may contain images or names of people who have passed away.
